PITTSGROVE TWP. — The school district approved a contract for a unique program that will allow Appel Farm Arts & Music Center to provide a music curriculum for students.

Starting this fall, students in grades 4 through 8 will be receive music and instrumental instruction provided by Appel Farm.

Pittsgrove is the first district in Salem County to have a full music curriculum from Appel Farm.

Kerri Sullivan, administrative coordinator for the music program and director of Arts Education and Outreach at Appel Farm, said Appel Farm provides drama and arts through Vineland Public Charter School, in Cumberland County, and is involved in the arts academy through Salem County Vocational Technical School, which is housed at Arthur P. Schalick High School, but this will be its first partnership with music.

“This is the first time with music — Appel Farm manages the artistic integrity of those programs. We have a very unique partnership,” Sullivan said.

The one-year contract recently approved by the board of education will cost about 40 percent less than having a full-time music teacher.

Total expenses for the music program are $33,445 — $27,720 for personnel and $5,725 for operational expenses, according to Sullivan.

Richard Wade is a state certified music teacher hired through Appel Farm and will be the music instructor for students in Olivet Elementary School and Pittsgrove Middle School.

“One thing we are looking forward to with this is the community outreach aspect. There is going to be an opportunity for students who participate to have performances not only in the schools but the community as well,” Sullivan said.

According to Pittsgrove Director of Curriculum Instruction Yvette DuBois, the music instructor will transition into the schools.

“He (Wade) will draft a schedule of lessons for students and band will be offered,” DuBois said.

Wade will teach at the middle school a couple of days each week for the academic year, as well, she said. He will also focus on working with the band one day per week during a PEAC (Personalized Education Activities and Clubs) for 50 minutes.

Additionally, the remaining days will be spent on small group lessons.

Wade will also instruct two days each week at Olivet Elementary School, working with the band one day per week and small group instrumental lessons.

All classes will follow common core curriculum guidelines, DuBois said.

“It’s important for students and community as well — the students need those opportunities to share their talents and skills and great for the community to experience and enjoy,” Sullivan said.

Executive Director of Appel Farm Dr. Loren Thomas said the goal is to help Pittsgrove establish a strong music program for the students.

"Appel Farm and Pittsgrove Township Schools have had a long history of working cooperatively and those partnerships have always resulted in high-quality programs for kids that have been cost effective," Thomas said.

Many students and parents were concerned after the only full-time music teacher position at Pittsgrove Township Middle School was eliminated back in May.

Pittsgrove Superintendent Henry Bermann said the district has high expectations for the new program.

“It will fit nicely into our curriculum and we anticipate it will go well. It will provide instruction that we can afford because it is for us a cost-effective program rather than the traditional,” Bermann said Monday.